PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A FOX Carolina camera crew was on scene where law enforcement was responding.
Our crews observed Pickens County deputies and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on Hollingsworth Drive around 9:10 p.m. on Saturday.
Sheriff Tommy Blankenship released a statement about the incident on Sunday, urging caution about unverified information spreading on social media.
“Citizens sharing those unvetted narratives does not help law enforcement,” Sheriff Blankenship said. “Last night, it actively endangered everyone involved. Our objective is always a peaceful resolution, and misinformation works directly against that goal.”
The sheriff explained the individual involved in the scene on Saturday is known to the sheriff’s office due to an incident at East Pickens Baptist Church, where the individual tried to access a secure area where children were present.
“He had to be physically restrained by church security,” the sheriff said on Facebook. “A judge signed an order of detention commanding law enforcement officers to take the individual into custody for a medical evaluation.”
The sheriff said when deputies arrived to serve that order, the subject as well as a female ran inside the home and locked the door. Officials said deputies then attempted to call the subject out.
Sheriff Blankenship said at that time, information received led deputies to believe the female may have being held against her will, raising the possibility of a hostage situation.
This determination justified the significant law enforcement presence and the request for the assistance of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division tactical resources and negotiators, according to the sheriff.
The sheriff explained that once commanding units reassessed and verified additional information through investigations and interviews, it was determined there was no hostage since the female had left the home.
Sheriff Blankenship said he made the executive decision to de-escalate the scene overnight given the volatility of the situation, which was driven by mental health concerns. The sheriff said a law enforcement presence was kept in the area to protect the community.
During this time, the sheriff said he consulted with mental health professionals and other trusted community members experienced in crisis intervention.
The sheriff said deputies took the subject into custody on Sunday morning following a brief physical encounter outside the home.
“No weapons, lethal or non-lethal, were used,” Sheriff Blankenship said. “Deputies relied on their training and safely secured the individual with parties receiving only minor scrapes and scratches.”
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